Slager



`A. LODENSLAGER. POTATO PLANTER.

No. 421,788. 1281811888 Peb. 18, 1880.

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UNrrEn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS LOUDENSLAGER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

POTATO-PLANTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Ltters Patent No. 421,738, dated February 18, 1890. Application filed September 4, 1889. Serial No. 322,925. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS LOUDEN# SLAGER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, vhave invented certainl new and useful Improvements in Potato- Planters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same.

vThis invention relates to improvements in potato-planters, and has for its object to simplify the construction and increase the practical efficiency of machines of this class. I accomplish this object by the mechanism illustrated inthe acccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 representspa side elevation of my machine. Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the saine, and-Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views.

Like letters of reference denote correspon ding parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates a frame, upon which is mounted a feedbox B. The rear end of this feed-box is provided with an aperture through its bottom, into which projects a feed-tube C.

To the front of the feed-tube, near the bottom, is fixed a plow D. This plow is symmetrical as to its two side pieces and is firmly fastened t0 the frame-work A. To the point of the plow is attached a shoe-sl1aped colter E, the forward end of which is fixed to the frame A. It will be seen by reference to the drawings that the lower .edge of the colter is convex, and that therear end projects a short distance below the plow-points- To the forward cross-piece a of the frame A are fixed suitable bearings G, in which is hinged the axle F. Beyond the bearings G the axle is bent at right angles, by which the arms f are made, to project downward or forwardby turning axle F, as will be hereinafter shown. The wheels H are attached to these axle-arms in the usual manner.

To one end of the axle is fixed an upwardlyprojecting arm g, which forms a lever, to the upper end of which is attached a rod l. The other end of the rod I is connected to the lever K, which is pivoted to the arm Z, depend- 'ing from the ratchet-bar L. The upper edge of this ratchet-bar is convex and provided with suitable notches, in which a detent M is adapted to catch. The detent M passes through a tube N, containing a coiled spring n, which tends to keep the detent in contact' with the notches of the ratchet-bars. The upper end of the detent is connected to an elbow-lever lo, which is fulcrumed to the lever K, and by which the detent is raised when desired.

In rear of the tube C followsa coveringwheel O, which has a broad vconcave rim o. This wheel is j ournaled in boxes P, which are vertically adjusted in thevkeepersp, and which are held, as adjusted, by means of keys q. Fixed to the rear end of the frame A is a convex scraper Q, which will clear the wheel when working in heavy ground where the earth would tend to stick.

. The frame A is provided with handles R, of the usual construction, attached in the usual manner. To the forward end of the frame is also attached the usual clevis or draw-fixture. To the front of the feed-box B is fixed a Seat S and a suitable foot-rest T, and a sec' ond seat is fixed upon suitable supports back of the feed-box B and over the coveringwheel O.

The operation of my planter is brieli y as f0llows: The potatoes are placed in the feed-box, and as the machine advances drop through the feed-tube into thev furrow made by the plow. It will be seen thaty the sides of the plow inclose the bottom of the feed-tube, and that by this construction the potatoes will drop into the furrow before any earth is able to fall back into the furrow. The forward end of the plow is protected by the convex colter, which, as has been shown, extends a short distance belowthe point. It is evident that this colter will raise the machine above any obstruction-- such as large stones-aand prevent the point of the plow from being broken or injured, while at the same time in clear ground it will assist in cutting the furrow. When the pota toes have been dropped in the furrow, they will be covered by the broad-rimmed wheel, which follows immediately behind the feedtube. The depth of the furrow, and thus the depth at which the potatoes are planted, is adjusted by means of the lever K. By mov- IOO ing this lever back the wheels are raised and the frame brought closer to the ground, the plow at the same time necessarily cutting a deeper furrow. In like manner, by moving,` the lever forward, the W heels are brought more directly under the axle, and the axle and plow raised farther from the ground. A similar end is accomplished in the covering-wheel by means of the adjustable boxes P.

Having` thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- The combination, in a potato-planter, of a frame having a suitable dran7 attachment, a feed-box, a depending feedstube, plow inclosing the lower end of said feed-tube, colter adapted to protect said plow, a covering- 

